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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Royal rumble: Four years behind bars for outspoken lawyer and Thai activist
A prominent Thai activist and lawyer, known for his brazen calls for reforms in Thailand’s monarchy, received a four-year prison sentence today over charges of royal insults, a verdict confirmed by both the judge and his legal counsel. Arnon Nampa emerged as a notable figure during the pro-democracy demonstrations in 2020, where the Thai activist publicly advocated for a discourse…
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4 fake police officers kidnap woman for 300,000 baht ransom
A Thai woman filed a complaint alleging that four men posing as police officers kidnapped her for a 300,000 baht ransom. One of the suspects involved was the ex-boyfriend of the victim’s daughter. He was arrested by police while the other three suspects remain at large. The 48 year old victim, Patcharee, told officers at Mueang Prachuap Kiri Khan Police Station…
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UNESCO’s recognition triggers visitor surge at Si Thep Historical Park in northern Thailand
Si Thep Historical Park in Phetchabun experienced an unexpected surge in visitor numbers over the weekend, following its announcement as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO on September 19. The ensuing tourism influx prompted local agencies to call on the government for increased accommodation and facilities for the increasing number of tourists. Sittichai Poodee, the director of Si Thep Historical…
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Rain reigns in Khon Kaen: Pumps pump out the flood
Heavy rains in Khon Kaen triggered a swift response from emergency services, with seven water pumps set up in flood-prone areas to efficiently drain the excess water. The local authorities are confident in their ability to manage the high water volumes in Bueng Kaen Nakhon and Bueng Thung Sang. Essential manpower and equipment are on standby to aid those affected around…
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FDA confirms Japanese seafood imports safe from Fukushima radioactivity
Seafood imported from Japan is free of harmful radioactivity levels, as confirmed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This comes in response to global worries about the potential contamination of marine life following the discharge of wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant that was devastated by a tsunami. Lertchai Lertvut, the FDA’s deputy secretary-general, detailed yesterday that rigorous…
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Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra to be eligible for parole next year
Former Prime Minister of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra will be eligible for parole in February next year, 2024. The ex-PM will not have to wear the Electronic Monitoring (EM) bracelet and will be able to express his views on Thai politics. The Committee on Human Rights, Freedom and Consumer Protection of the Thai Senate invited the Department of Corrections and Police…
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Thailand’s DoPA cracks down on ‘influential figures’ in nationwide crime hunt
The Department of Provincial Administration (DoPA) in Thailand is vigorously working to identify individuals linked to criminal activities across the nation, revealed Deputy Interior Minister Chada Thaiset. These individuals, referred to as “influential figures,” are purportedly involved in 16 distinct criminal offences. These include predatory lending, bid collusion, bribery from public transport vehicles, smuggling of untaxed goods, both online and…
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Tragic early morning crash claims life of young man on rain-soaked Thailand highway
A 26 year old man lost his life in a tragic crash when a pickup truck he was driving plunged into a ditch after hitting an electricity pole on the Asia Highway, Route 32, in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province today at 3am. The tragedy, which unfolded in the early hours of the morning, also resulted in injuries to two other…
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Thai woman found dead in Chon Buri sea, Russian boyfriend disappears
A restaurant worker found the dead body of a Thai woman floating in the sea near Koh Larn, an island in Chon Buri province, while her Russian boyfriend was missing. A worker at the Haad Thian restaurant on Koh Larn reported the discovery to Mueang Pattaya Police Station and the Sawang Borriboon Dhammasatan rescue team. He explained that the Thai…
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Weather forecast: Storm to bring heavy rain across Thailand
Today’s weather shows a fading yet still potent storm set to pass through northern Thailand with heavy rains anticipated between September 26 and 29. The Department of Meteorology announced the weakening of the pressure system at 1am today. The storm, formerly known as “Depression,” has diminished into a strong low-pressure system near the city of Danang in Vietnam. This system…
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Big Joke caught partying with leading online gambling operator
Further suspicion has been cast on the Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police (RTP), Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, after a video recorded by a renowned Thai lawyer showed Big Joke singing with a leading online gambling operator at a party. The former president of the Lamphun Warrior Football Club, Pongsiri “Tarn” Ratchawongsuek, and a Thai woman named Suchanan, also…
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Thailand’s State Railway seeks 50 billion baht for expansions
Thailand’s State Railway (SRT) is planning to request Cabinet approval for a funding amount exceeding 50 billion baht. This hefty sum is aimed at financing the construction of a double-track railway stretch from Khon Kaen to Nong Khai and the expansion of Red Line electric train routes. The announcement follows a directive from Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, who instructed the…
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Motorcycle accident in Na Yong district claims construction worker’s life
A tragic motorcycle accident claimed the life of a 52 year old construction worker in Na Yong district, Trang province. The incident took place yesterday around 1am, near his home. The construction worker, Seree, lost control of his motorcycle, which then veered off the road and plunged into a canal. His body was discovered a day later after a 30…
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Deputy PM’s passport plea: Thai tourists seek visa-free voyage to Germany, EU
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara is calling for visa-free travel privileges for Thai tourists travelling to Germany and other European Union (EU) countries. During his stay in the United States to attend the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 78), the 66 year old MP seized the opportunity to meet with German Foreign…
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Hotel worker accused of attacking female guest due to late payment
A Thai woman accused a hotel worker in Parum Thani province, near Bangkok, of attacking her for a late payment. The victim, 26 year old Nattarika, sought help from the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive after the physical altercation at the hotel on Soi Rungsit-Nakhon Nayok 20 in Thanya Buri district of Prahum Thani province. Nattarika recounted that her home was…
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Rare Dumbo octopus flaps into livestream recording in North Pacific expedition (video)
An elusive Dumbo octopus, a rare marine creature with side flippers resembling the ears of the Walt Disney character Dumbo, was accidentally discovered during a livestream by the research vessel EVNautilus in the deep waters of the North Pacific Ocean. The sighting was made at a depth of 2,665 meters by a remotely operated vehicle controlled by the Ocean Exploration…
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Monitor lizards’ amorous display in hospital car park sparks lottery number frenzy
A video clip of two large monitor lizards embracing each other in a hospital parking lot, before scurrying under a hospital bed, has been shared on Facebook by Bunthanya Wachirawongsarak. The clip was filmed while Bunthanya was waiting for her car insurance to be processed. The sight of the lizards in a loving embrace seemed so unusual and cute that…
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Police in hot water: 8 officers nabbed in online gambling network crackdown
An investigation into an online gambling network has led to the issuance of arrest warrants for eight police officers suspected of managing gambling websites and profiting from them. The search, which took place today, spanned over 30 locations in six provinces nationwide. The operation aimed to dismantle the extensive online gambling network connected to Betflixroyal.com and additional online gambling websites.…
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Female petrol station attendance sexually harassed by client
A petrol station attendant has sought justice by publicly sharing her disturbing experience of being sexually harassed by a male customer. The 30 year old victim, Mallika, sent CCTV footage of the sexual harassment to several news agencies in a bid to expose the perpetrator. In an interview with Channel 3, Mallika disclosed the incident happened at a petrol station…
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Thailand rescue team’s deep dive: 73 year old Thai man saved from water tank peril
Satja Phutta Dham Thailand Rescue Team, in the central province of Prachin Buri, saved the life of a 73 year old Thai man who fell into a 3-metre deep water tank and was stuck there for over two hours. The incident happened yesterday, September 24, at Khao Luk Chang Temple in the Kabin Buri district of Prachin Buri province. The…
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92 year old granny’s electric rice cooker mishap: A side-splitting dinner delight
A humorous incident recently unfolded in a Chinese household, involving a 92 year old grandmother’s attempt to cook rice using a modern electric rice cooker. The result: a burnt cooker with the rice still uncooked left the entire family in fits of laughter, making for an unusual culinary experience. The incident was documented and shared on a TikTok account. The…
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Thailand’s FDA conducts seafood safety tests on Japanese seafood for radiation amid nuclear water discharge concerns
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Thailand revealed the results of their analysis of seafood imported from Japan following the discharge of treated water from a nuclear power plant. Out of 75 samples, all were quarantined for inspection and seafood safety. If any were found to be contaminated, they would be destroyed and imports immediately suspended, stated Lerschai Lertsirivorakul,…
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Teenage boy abandoned on roadside after he faints on Bangkok public bus
A Thai bus driver and a ticket collector on the number 75 public bus have been fined for abandoning a sick teenager on the side of the road in Bangkok. The teenager had fainted on the bus. A Thai woman who witnessed the incident urged a news platform on Facebook to spread the story to the public so the staff…
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Lottery enthusiasts roll the numbers: October 1 draw sparks decade-long data dive
Lottery buffs are eagerly preparing for the upcoming October 1 lottery draw, delving into the historical data of the past decade to aid in their number analysis. For the lottery draw held on October 1, 2022, the first prize number was 484669. This winning combination featured three-digit prefix numbers 206 and 996, three-digit suffix numbers 278 and 194, and a…
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Tragedy strikes as factory owner’s car takes a watery plunge in Nonthaburi canal
A fatal accident occurred when a factory owner’s vehicle plunged into a canal, in Nonthaburi. The incident took place last night, near the canal on Bang Bua Thong, Nonthaburi. The unfortunate car plunge was reported to Prut Jamsanson, Bang Bua Thong police station’s commander, and Apisit Momnitykul, an investigating officer. The vehicle, owned by the factory owner, had skidded off…
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Thailand secures 10th spot in Asia Pacific in 2023 World Talent Ranking
Thailand proudly claims the 10th position in the Asia Pacific region, according to the 2023 World Talent Ranking (WTR) conducted by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD). The latest 2023 WTR report reveals Thailand’s respectable standing at 45th place among the 64 countries assessed. This accomplishment, coupled with a global ranking of 29th in the appeal category, solidifies Thailand’s…
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Hit and run in Samut Prakan leaves young man dead
A tragic car accident took the life of a 20 year old man while crossing a road in Samut Prakan province today, around 2.30am. The hit-and-run incident, reported by police captain Somai Charoenraj, an inquiry officer at Bang Pu Police Station, occurred on Praeksa Road near The Moon restaurant in Praeksa Subdistrict, Mueang District. On arrival at the scene, the…
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Online storm brews as suspect grilled in Beer The Voice explicit content case
Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau Division 1 (CCID1) officers questioned a Thai man who was accused of posting explicit content of renowned Thai singer, Passaranan “Beer” Ussadamongkol, also known as Beer The Voice. Last week, the explicit content, images and videos of Beer were shared on several social media platforms in Thailand. It appears from the content that the videos and…
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Big Joke accused of being involved in online gambling operation
Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) officers raided the home of Royal Thai Police (RTP) Deputy Commissioner Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn this morning over allegations of his involvement in an online gambling operation. Big Joke denied the allegation and refused to allow officers to enter his home. CCIB officers attempted to raid five houses owned by Big Joke in Soi Vibhawadee 60 near…
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Thailand’s Ghost Tower: A haunting legacy of opulence left in ruins (video)
Sathorn Unique Tower, eerily dubbed the Ghost Tower, remains an unfinished, forsaken, and unloved edifice, 33 years after its inception in the heart of Thailand’s capital city, Bangkok. Construction of the opulent 49-storey skyscraper kicked off in 1990 with the grand vision of accommodating Thailand’s most affluent families, yet it languishes in a state of perpetual emptiness. The towering structure…
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