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 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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Severe thunderstorms warning issued for 41 Thai provinces: potential floods threaten residents
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a warning for severe thunderstorms across 41 provinces today. Northern and northeastern regions are expected to be the hardest hit, with 80% of these areas expected to experience heavy rainfall. This downpour may lead to sudden flooding, posing danger to residents, particularly those residing in mountainous areas, near water flow paths and in low-lying…
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Elderly couple in Udon Thani conned out of 100,000 baht by fake coconut buyers
Two female thieves conned an elderly couple out of more than 100,000 baht in cash and gold, after gaining his trust by posing as coconut buyers. The incident took place in Nong Han, Udon Thani yesterday, September 11, and the victims have appealed for police intervention. Rung Wachnarat reported that on September 8, around lunchtime, he was at home when…
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Newly discovered Nishimura comet visible in Thailand this Sunday
Keep your eyes pointed upwards this weekend as Thailand will be treated to a rare celestial sighting. The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) has revealed that the Thai population might have the opportunity to observe the newly discovered Nishimura comet this Sunday evening as it approaches the sun. The comet, officially tagged as C/2023 P1 and named after…
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Brew-haha: Lazada and Shopee ban Lung Jun Coffee beans over explicit content
Two leading Asian e-commerce platforms, Lazada and Shopee, have banned Lung Jun Coffee after discovering the brand sold coffee beans with explicit pictures and advertisements referring to a man and woman’s private parts. ThaiRath reported that concerned locals, upon encountering Lung Jun’s coffee beans on an e-commerce platform and noticing social media posts drawing attention to the explicit brand’s content,…
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Police chief commits suicide after death of subordinate
The Superintendent of Highway Police Division 2 committed suicide today at his house in the Pathum Thani province near Bangkok. Police General Wachira Yaothaisong reportedly had been battling depression and was said to be stressed over the death of his subordinate, Police Major General Siwakorn Saibua. The Highway Police Inspector, Siwakorn, was murdered at a gathering at the house of…
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Stray puppy becomes millionth animal to be neutered and vaccinated by Soi Dog Foundation
A one-eyed stray puppy in Thailand has become the millionth animal to be neutered and vaccinated by the animal welfare organisation Soi Dog Foundation. Aptly named ‘Million’, the homeless puppy was taken in by one of the foundation’s mobile sterilisation teams after she was found on the streets of Nakhon Si Thammarat, and soon after became the millionth animal to…
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Laos-link drug bust: Thai police seize 100,000 illicit tablets in holy heist
Police today swooped to arrest a group of drug traffickers operating between Thailand and Laos and confiscated over 100,000 tablets of illicit substances. The operation unveiled a drug trafficking route originating from neighbouring Laos, with deliveries strategically timed before Buddhist holy days, as Laotians traditionally abstain from immoral activities on such sacred occasions. The arrest operation, led by Rutthaphon Naowarat,…
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Fallen mystery: Thai mother seeks answers in daughter’s Japan condo death
A Thai woman demanded an investigation into the death of her 23 year old daughter who mysteriously fell to her death from the eighth floor of a condominium in Japan, just one day after her arrival. The mother, 48 year old Somporn, reached out to the Pavena Foundation for Children and Women yesterday, September 10, seeking assistance to find the…
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New government policy statement urged to focus on escalating costs, tourism
Public expectations are high as the government prepares to present its policy statement in Parliament today, with the populace eager for it to fulfil commitments to resolve daily-life issues and rejuvenate the economy. Leaders in various sectors have made their pleas, requesting the new government to pay attention to its policy to the needs of their industry. Thaniwan Koonmongkon, head…
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Thailand cracks down on illicit artefact racket: Trio arrested with trove of history
A significant victory was recorded in the fight against the illicit trafficking of cultural artefacts in Thailand with the apprehension of three individuals suspected to be key figures in the racket. The police, in conjunction with the Fine Arts Department, successfully conducted an operation which led to the arrest of these suspects and the recovery of about 1,000 historical artefacts.…
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Thong Lor turmoil: Thai man physically beat wife to death at construction site in Bangkok
A Thai man turned himself in to police last night after he physically beat his wife to death in the dormitory of a construction site in the Thong Lor neighbourhood of Bangkok. Thong Lor Police Station officers were notified of the death of 37 year old woman named Irada Winyayong at 7pm yesterday. Upon investigation at the scene, Irada was…
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Thai government plans central budget use for farmers’ debt relief
The Ministry of Agriculture is planning to utilise the central budget to support farmers’ debt relief in case next year’s budget is delayed. The ministry is aligning its plans with the government’s policies, especially Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s strategy of reducing production costs. In an interview before announcing the policy, Deputy Ministers of Agriculture and Cooperatives Chaiya Phromma stated that…
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Foreigners make a ‘cremazing’ splash with Gene Kelly-inspired dance in Thai temple rain
A group of enthusiastic foreigners sparked both amusement and criticism among Thai netizens after sharing a video of dancing and singing in the rain Gene Kelly style in front of a crematorium at a temple in Thailand. A foreign woman shared a video of herself and friends on her TikTok account @ks_photogallery on Wednesday, September 6. The video features six…
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THAI to reintroduce 9 domestic routes after closure plan of Thai Smile Airways
Thai Airways (THAI) revealed that the airline is planning to reintroduce nine domestic routes by the end of this year following the closure plan of its subsidiary, Thai Smile Airways. In February, THAI announced that it would merge with Thai Smile Airways according to its business rehabilitation plan. All 800 Thai Smile Airways staff members would be transferred to work…
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Maniq tribe marvels: Southern Thai Buddhist committee champions culture conservation
A plea for the preservation of the Maniq tribe’s cultural heritage and living standards was recently raised by a Buddhist committee known as the Five Precept Protection Committee, stationed in southern Thailand. Their primary concern is the potential impact of external influences on the tribe. The appeal was made during the committee’s tour of Satun province, where they were assessing…
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Bangkok crane catastrophe claims engineer’s life and injures Burmese workers
A crane collapse at a construction site within Srinakharinwirot University in the Asoke neighbourhood of Bangkok resulted in the death of a Thai engineer and caused injuries to two Burmese workers. The crane operator fled the scene amid the tragedy. Thong Lor Police Station officers rushed to the construction site at 4pm yesterday together with the rescuers and medical professionals. The…
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Phuket’s PIPO heroes: Two Thai men saved, but waves claim two
The Port-in-Port-out (PIPO) authorities in Phuket rescued two Thai men after their fishing boat capsized yesterday. Regrettably, two fishermen lost their lives in this tragic incident. The authorities were notified that a red fibreglass boat named Baan Kung Mang Korn capsized near an island called Koh Aeo in the Mueang district of Phuket due to powerful waves. There were four…
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Dusit Thani College shares ideas and knowledge on sustainability for service businesses at PHIST 2023
Dusit Thani College, Thailand’s leading hospitality education institution under the Dusit Thani Hotel Group, has annually participated in the PHIST or Phuket Hotels for Islands Sustaining Tourism event, which this year was recently held at SAii Laguna Phuket Hotel. PHIST is an innovative event rallying the hotel industry and its stakeholders to discuss environmental sustainability and community benefits. It is…
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CPN plans 3 billion baht expansion of Phuket condos
Central Pattana (CPN), a company listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), announced its intentions to introduce two additional phases to its condominium project, Phyll Phuket, near Central Phuket Floresta. The Phuket condos expansion, which includes nearly 700 units worth a total of 3 billion baht, is set to launch in the forthcoming year. This decision is motivated by…
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Japanese fugitive escapes Thai police custody in daring car chase, manhunt underway
A Japanese fugitive escaped police custody in a daring car chase. He was initially detained at the Immigration Bureau in Suan Phlu on Saturday, September 9, before managing to commandeer a police vehicle and flee the scene. The Japanese man, Yuki Yanagi, who was later discovered to have abandoned the vehicle and taken a taxi, remains at large. The incident…
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Phuket urges small hotels to obtain a licence ahead of anticipated 2.19 million tourists
Phuket is gearing up for the high season by encouraging small hotel operators to obtain a licence. This move is part of the city’s preparation to host over 10,000 tourists daily, equating to 2.19 million visitors annually. The Phuket Boutique Accommodation Consortium (BAC) held a seminar on September 7 to advocate for a ministerial regulation that was issued by the…
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CCIB nabs five in 2.7 billion baht cryptocurrency scam
The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) apprehended four individuals from China and one from Laos about a cryptocurrency scam, resulting in a loss of over 2.7 billion baht. The fraudulent scheme operated via an investment platform called bchgloballtd.com and reportedly deceived at least 3,280 people. The victims, who began stepping forward in November last year, were tricked into investing in…
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Prime Minister plans mobile Cabinet meeting to address Nong Bua Lamphu’s economic challenges
The Prime Minister, has confirmed his plans to hold a mobile Cabinet meeting in Nong Bua Lamphu province this November. The primary focus of the meeting will be to address the economic challenges the province is currently facing. Srettha Thavisin announced his decision during his visit to the Customs Office at the Laos border checkpoint in Nong Khai. The selection…
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Civilian defence minister to navigate Thai military reforms amid coalition challenges
The newly appointed Defence Minister, Sutin Klungsang, is in the spotlight as he is expected to navigate through various challenges within the military while maintaining stability within the Pheu Thai-led coalition government. As the first civilian to take the defence minister position without also holding the role of the prime minister, Sutin is expected to manage military reform, the southern…
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NHSO plans digital transformation, enhanced universal healthcare
Thailand’s National Health Security Office (NHSO) is set to improve its services in alignment with the new government‘s policy, according to the NHSO secretary-general, Jadet Thammathataree. The planned modifications pertain to the universal healthcare package, commonly referred to as the gold card scheme and the digital transformation of the NHSO system. The NHSO has recently engaged in discussions with the…
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Tourism Authority of Thailand eyes sustainable green strategy
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has revealed its renewed commitment to promote the country as a ‘sustainable destination’, championing environmental conservation. TAT’s Governor, Thapanee Kiatphaiboon, unveiled this green strategy, aiming to familiarise international travellers with Thailand’s proactive stance towards embracing global sustainability trends. Thailand, known for its vibrant culture, exotic cuisine, and picturesque landscapes, is now determined to enhance…
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Thailand’s transport sector set for major 29.7 billion baht upgrade
A bright future is on the horizon for Thailand’s transport and logistics system. The Transport Minister, Suriya Juangroongruangkit, has recently outlined his ambitious plans for the country’s railways and maritime sectors. Revealed during his inaugural speech, these policies are set to be formally announced next week. Suriya believes that by focusing on these areas of transport improvement, Thailand can significantly…
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Visa-free policy for Chinese tourists may boost economy, workload
The first meeting of the new government’s Cabinet this week will discuss the predicted increase in workload for authorities as they prepare to implement a proposed visa-free policy for Chinese visitors. The policy is viewed as a major strategy to boost Thailand’s tourism sector, expected to generate massive revenue, according to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. The prime minister has consistently…
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Suvarnabhumi Airport’s SAT-1 terminal to soft-launch boosting capacity by 33%
Suvarnabhumi International Airport, governed by Airports of Thailand (AoT), is set to soft-launch its Satellite 1 (SAT-1) terminal on September 28, following a successful full-scale trial involving 180 mock passengers and their luggage. The trial aimed to evaluate operations at both the SAT-1 satellite passenger terminal and the primary terminal, with Thai Airways offering assistance by supplying cabin crew and…
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Pheu Thai’s Chai Watcharong set to become new government spokesperson
Chai Watcharong, a 64 year old veterinarian and party-list member of Pheu Thai is set to take up the mantle as the new government spokesperson. Positioned 91st on the party list, Chai has confirmed he is prepared to face the challenges of the role. The cabinet is set to officially instate Chai as the government spokesperson this Wednesday. Previously, Chai…
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